Scottish guitarist Leo Forde first came to my attention playing on Meschiya Lake’s new album from her side project, the New Movement, a review of which appeared in the November 2022 issue of OffBeat. So, it was a delight to get a chance to review his new album, Double Whiskey.

The record features trad jazz standards as well as tunes outside the genre, such as “Just A Gigolo,” performed in the hot jazz style. The band features the cream of the crop of local players including the strong rhythm section of pianist David Boeddinghaus, rhythm guitarist John Rodli and bassist Nobu Ozaki.

Forde is a generous bandleader, and he gives violinist Ben Powell ample space to solo and demonstrate his deep mastery of his instrument. On the title cut, a Django Reinhart classic, Powell plays with a tone that blurs in a good way, showcasing a touch that also finesses the notes. Forde matches him with speed and intensity on his solo and even drops in an inventive harmonic.

On the aforementioned song made famous by Louis Prima, Powell takes the lead establishing the musical theme and highlighting the inherent sadness in the song. Forde follows with a subtle solo that mines the same emotional territory.

One unusual song choice for an album from a jazz musician is “Improvisation on Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique” [Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6]. I confess to not knowing the original but based on the title and the mournful sound from Powell’s violin, I suspect it leaves classical listeners in tears. Again, Forde emotes through his guitar’s strings as Ozaki’s bass oozes fat, tender notes.

When I saw that the album closes with the shopworn chestnut “Do You Know What it Means To Miss New Orleans,” I feared another unnecessary iteration, but the band does it justice by invoking the feeling the Portuguese call saudade. I suspect Forde misses his home across the pond, but with this album and this band he’s found a place for himself on this side of the water.